7.GRENOBLE (38) – Saint Joseph’s Basilica
Saint Joseph’s Basilica is an interesting testimony of the syncretism of architectural and decorative currents in religious architecture of the first half of the 20th century, of the modernity of the use of wobbly concrete in particular, as well as the design of an architectural project including the entire parish organization,
- 1949-1946 -
Historic Monuments Registration October 6, 2022 the following elements of the basilica: the entire basilica including the forecourt, the presbytery, the sacristy and the entire plot CT2; facades and roofs of the parish hall.
© F. de Peyronnet-Dryden DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The current saint joseph basilica replaces a parish and royal church built at the end of the XVIIe century by Claude de Mollard, king’s engineer in the direction of provincial works. This important church took place outside the walls in the rapidly growing faubourg Saint-Joseph. It is considered to be the first church dedicated to Saint Joseph in France, if not in Europe, expressing the Sun King’s devotion to him. Following the expansion of the city and the structural disorders of the building, after a competition launched at the end of the nineteenth century, a new church was built from 1919 under the direction of Grenoble architects Paul Perrin and Francis Girard; it is consecrated in 1924, and will still have some later improvements intended notably to build the bell tower-campanile and to complete the interiors: stained glass windows, organ, chapels, baptismal font, referring to Art Deco, and finally forecourt in 1944.
The church was erected as a minor basilica in 1937. The basilica, the former sacristy, the former presbytery and the parish hall are now at the heart of the Isérose church’s pastoral renewal project. In this context and with a view to the next centenary of the construction of the basilica, ambitious restoration and valorization works are under consideration.
The church is designed on a classical Latin cross plan with a nave with four bays and aisles, a transept with chapels on the arms, and an ambulatory choir. Two side chapels at the beginning of the nave complete the ensemble. The predominant element is the large bell tower that rises to 38 meters. Made of wobbly concrete and covered in raw concrete and claustras in cast concrete, it is reminiscent of the «Perret tower», its contemporary, which it echoes in co-visibility.
The style used is a marriage between primitive novel and art deco. While the façade of the church remains faithful to the Romano-Byzantine spirit, the interior fittings are strongly inspired by Art Deco, which combines with great finesse a Romanesque spirit.
Note the baptismal font and sculptures, works by Louis Prost, and the remarkable iconographic program of stained glass windows made by Louis Balmet, including the life of Saint Joseph.
Partager la page